Hi! We're the Quails (Rob, Helen, Chloe and Josh) and we're working with a Christian NGO based in Nicaragua called Engineering Ministries International (EMI). EMI works with many local Christian charities in helping them to develop their sites and building facilities. The sort of projects that EMI delivers include schools, medical clinics, churches and children's homes.
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We moved to Central America from the UK in April 2021 and have enjoyed being involved in some inspiring projects. Last year, 2024, some of the projects we were privileged to work on included a bible institute, a primary school for the children of families relocated from living on a landfill site, and a permanent children's home for vulnerable children living on the Haitian border. These projects and more are included in this document which provides a round-up of 2024, with stories of impact of where God has been at work through EMI Nicaragua over the past year.
How did we get here?
We had been praying about the possibility of joining staff at EMI since we visited the Latin America office (then in Costa Rica) back in 2012 before working together on a project in Honduras. The project team photo below was taken on that trip - showing us both looking a little younger!
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Six years later during Spring Harvest 2018 we felt God calling us to step out in faith and look more closely at what working for EMI might look like.
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Rob carried out another project, this time in Managua, in March 2019 and then as a family we enjoyed a holiday to Nicaragua a few months later to get to know the country.
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We formally applied in early 2020 and following a few months of interviews we were offered a position to join the EMI Nicaragua office. We moved to Costa Rica in April 2021 where we carried out 8 months of Spanish school before moving to Managua in Nicaragua in February 2022.
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Details on EMI projects both past and present, including those where we have been involved as volunteers, can be found here.
About EMI
EMI is a non-profit Christian development organisation made up of architects, engineers, surveyors and project managers. EMI uses its skills to serve people worldwide through the design of hospitals, schools, water systems and many other facilities. An important part of EMI’s work is employing and training local design professionals in their offices abroad. For more details check out their website here
Support Raising
As with all overseas EMI staff we don't receive a salary from EMI but instead raise the funds to provide all that we need for our time over here.
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This document provides a summary of the work we were privileged to be a part of in 2024 and shares some stories of impact where God has been at work during the past year. If you or your church or organisation would like to find out more please email us at quails.emi@gmail.com
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If you would like to donate to the work that God is doing through EMI in Latin America then please click on the donate button below, providing the reference 'Quail Family'
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Things to pray for:
For Praise
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Josh's baptism!
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Smooth transitions for the children to their new school.
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The new opportunity Helen has to serve as a missionary teacher at NCA.
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Opportunities for both local and international interns at EMI Nicaragua.
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The current projects we have with partner ministries, in particular Avodah Farm.
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The opportunity we had to serve in Mango and for the children's first mission trip experience!
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For Prayer
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Our finances - due to some funding changes, we are in need of new financial partners. Please pray we will reach our target of 8 new regular supporters by January 2026.
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Our health - we've all been a bit under the weather and there are some health niggles that would be great to resolve.
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Later this month we will mark the first anniversary of Pippa's death. Please pray for us and all her family and friends as we continue to grieve her loss.
Why are we doing this?
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. – Psalm 24 v 10
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Psalm 24 has been a recurring passage for our family for a long time including a memorable sermon in a Nicaraguan church, all the way back in 2012! And it also speaks into the moment we find ourselves in now as we recognise God as our King and invite Him to lead us. We feel that He has called us into this ministry and whilst it has been a big move for our family, and at times a little daunting, we are putting our trust in Him. There is more about the significance Psalm 24 has for us here.